[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Matthew 18:21-35

“Not seven times but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:22)

It’s been ten years since two jetliners crashed into the Twin Towers in Manhattan, but Paul Fox can still see the flames and, in them, the faces of deceased friends and colleagues. At work on the fiftieth floor of the South Tower when the World Trade Center was hit, Fox emerged unharmed, yet hardly untouched. Seeing so many people killed and knowing he was Osama bin Laden’s target, too, changes you, he said in a recent interview with a Seattle, Washington, television station.

Even so, Fox recoiled at news videos of people wildly celebrating bin Laden’s death in May. “As a Christian, that kind of rejoicing at any person’s death doesn’t feel right.” Still, he struggles with forgiveness. “I’m having to search my soul about that. I’m not there yet,” he admits. (For a link to the interview, click here.)

Even when the offense is infinitely tiny compared to a terrorist attack, how hard it is to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Considering how the world has grown more divided and less forgiving over the past ten years, this call has become especially challenging.

Is it really possible to forgive one another “from the heart,” as Jesus urges us to do (Matthew 18:35)? Not on our own strength alone! But we know Christ, and through his Holy Spirit, we have all we need to become ambassadors for forgiveness and unity. Though we may not consider ourselves very important or influential, our witness counts! Just think: If everyone reading this meditation today chose to become an agent of mercy, we just might change the world.

“ ‘It is not in our power not to feel or to forget an offense; but the heart that offers itself to the Holy Spirit turns injury into compassion and purifies the memory in transforming the hurt into intercession’ (Catechism, 2843). Holy Spirit, give me such a heart!”

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Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

(Sirach 27:30–28:7; Psalm 103:1-4,9-12; Romans 14:7-9; Matthew 18:21-35)

1. The theme of the Scripture readings could not be clearer: mercy and forgiveness. In the first reading we are warned against nourishing anger against others. How much of your day would you estimate is spent remembering and reliving conversations and/or circumstances when you were hurt or angered by another person? What steps can you take to let go of them?

2. In the same vein, why do you believe the first reading encourages us to remember our “last days” when it comes to holding on to unforgiveness, anger, and vengeance? How can you use this injunction during the day to check the amount of unforgiveness in your life?

3. The responsorial psalm speaks of the Lord’s healing and pardoning. Since the Lord has so generously pardoned you, who are the people in your life to whom you can provide healing and pardoning?

4. The second reading reminds us that we do not live or die for ourselves, but for the Lord. How can you make this a greater reality in your life? How do you think this Scripture relates to the need to change our behavior with regard to unforgiveness, anger?

5. Jesus’ parable of the king and wicked servant in the Gospel reading could not be more obvious: we will be forgiven to the same extent we forgive others. We cannot demand justice for everyone else and mercy for ourselves. (“Justice for them Lord, but mercy for me.”) How can knowing this reality impact the way you relate to others?

6. In light of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the meditation challenges us with these words: “Even when the offense is infinitely tiny compared to a terrorist attack, how hard it is to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.” The meditation also challenges us with the following question: “Is it really possible to forgive one another ‘from the heart,’ as Jesus urges us to do (Matthew 18:35)?” How would you answer this question?”

7. The meditation answers the above question this way. “Not on our own strength alone! But we know Christ, and through his Holy Spirit, we have all we need to become ambassadors for forgiveness and unity.” Are you willing to give up the obstacles in your life (e.g., unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment) that keep you from being “an ambassadors for forgiveness and unity”? If so, what do you think are your first steps to doing this?

8. Take some time now to pray that the Lord would give you the grace to forgive “from the heart” those who have hurt you or offended you. As the prayer at the end of the meditation suggests, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to give you such a heart.

[Salvation]

A Christian Pilgrim

NOT SEVEN TIMES, BUT SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN   

(A biblical reflection on the 24^th ORDINARY SUNDAY, 11 September 2011) 

Gospel Reading: Mt 18:21-35 

First Reading: Sir 27:30-28:9; Psalms: Ps 103:1-4,9-12; Second Reading: Rom 14:7-9 

The Scripture Text

Then Peter came up and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times? Jesus said to him, “ I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.

“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same  servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servants fell down and besought him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debat because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt. So also My heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” (Mt 18:21-35 RSV) 

Have you spent time lately thinking about how merciful God is? In one way or another we all have disobeyed and grieved Him, and our offenses, in all justice, do deserve punishment. But how has He responded? He sent His only Son to die for us. God offered us mercy, not judgment, asking only for heartfelt repentance and faith in Him. 

The mercy of God comes to us through the blood Jesus shed on the cross. Jesus gave His life for us so that we can always be assured of forgiveness. When God looks on us and sees the blood of Jesus covering us, He responds with mercy. However offended He might be, however much our sin might be a reason for anger and judgment, God’s heart always softens when He sees a child of His washed in Jesus’ blood. 

That is when His judgment yields to mercy, condemnation defers to forgiveness. His mercy is for those who entreat it, who in their hearts deplore their current state and earnestly seek to turn from it. 

Have you experienced the mercy of God? You know you have if you feel compelled to think and act with mercy to those around you (Mt 18:21-35). You have been rescued from death – undeservedly. How can you do anything but show that same mercy to those who sin against you? Just as our repentance ushers in thekingdomofGodfor us, so too does our mercy bring the grace of that kingdom into the world (Mt 3:2; Mk 1:4; Lk 3:3; Jn 1:16-17). 

God loves you! He purchased you for Himself at an extravagant price; He traded the life of His only Son for yours. The more fully you come to understand what it cost God to secure your forgiveness, the more firmly you will hold onto the hope of your salvation. Never take it lightly. May it always be a source of joy and comfort for you. 

Short Prayer:  Holy Spirit, open my eyes to see the price Jesus paid for me. Soften my heart so that I might take hold of the life that follows true repentance. Empower me to show mercy to those around me. Amen.